Although Capital Reef National Park in Utah, sees fewer visitors than Utah's other parks, its red-rock scenery is just as spectacular. / NPS.gov

by USA TODAY

by USA TODAY

National parks not only preserve nature, they also nurture families, says Jonathan Dorn, editorial director of Backpacker magazine and Nationalparktrips.com, a planning site. "These are places where families can unplug from their normal chaos and reconnect. They can have meaningful experiences in natural surroundings that are among the most beautiful in the world." He shares some favorite places for family camping with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

The nation's first national park captivates families, Dorn says. "This is the ultimate wildlife experience. You often see bison, wolves, bear, bald eagles, moose, deer and elk from the road." The geothermal activity is astonishing, too. "Old Faithful is the most well-known, but there are dozens of other geysers." The park has 12 campgrounds and more than 2,000 campsites. 307-344-7381; nps.gov/yell

Dorn still remembers his first view of the Rockies from his parents' car. "The world absolutely changes when you see those 14,000-foot peaks." The park offers horseback riding, great fishing in the Big Thompson River, and the chance to see elk wandering by your tent. Rangers lead regular stargazing walks. The park has four campgrounds (with 425 campsites), two of which require reservations. 970-586-1206; nps.gov/romo

Redwoods National Park

California

The remote Northern California location lets visitors experience big trees without big crowds, Dorn says. "It's an experience when you see your first 250-foot redwood, and it's as big around as a school bus. Your sense of nature's scale has to be adjusted. I want to sit down and look up and kind of bliss out." There's also beachcombing and herds of Roosevelt elk. 707-465-7335; nps.gov/redw

Dorn says one of the best experiences in the entire park system is hiking or backpacking on Olympic's western edge. A Pacific coast trail passes by towering rock sea stacks and tidal pools brimming with life. Further inland, there's camping in the lush rain forest. "You'll find ferns so big, three or four people can crawl in and sleep." 360-565-3130; nps.gov/olym

Come to this popular Atlantic park for classic New England coastal scenery. "It has campgrounds where you smell the salt breeze blowing off the ocean," Dorn says. A hike to the top of Cadillac Mountain offers 360-degree views of islands with lighthouses and, sometimes, glimpses of whales. 207-288-3338; nps.gov/acad

Visitors discover an outdoors experience just a few miles from Cleveland and Akron. "It's a huge swath of protected nature in a place where most people would not expect it," Dorn says. There's hiking, birding, fishing and geocaching. While camping is limited, the park has some nice walk-in sites. 330-657-2752; nps.gov/cuva

Capitol Reef National Park

Utah

Far less visited than Utah's other national parks, Capitol Reef offers fabulous red rock scenery, plus its high elevation means moderate temperatures for summer visitors. "There are quite a number of hikes where you don't get full sun exposure," Dorn says. He recommends Muley Twist, "one of the best slot canyon hikes in North America." 435-425-3791; nps.gov/care

Just a few hours from the patriotic sites of Washington, D.C., families can experience nature in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Dorn says. Two historic byways bisect the park, the Appalachian Trail and Skyline Drive, a 105-mile road with 75 overlooks. Overnight options include several campgrounds, lodges and cabins. 540-999-3500; nps.gov/shen

Dinosaur National Monument

Utah and Colorado

Make no bones about it, this little-visited park is dino central, Dorn says. "It's all about kids who love fossils." The highlight: a partially excavated quarry. "You have one skeleton packed on top of the other. When I walked in with my daughters, I thought it was fake, because the concentration is mind-boggling." The park's backcountry offers rafting through scenic canyons. Camping is basic but allows easy access to the quarry. 435-781-7700; nps.gov/dino

The most-visited national park offers easy access to wilderness and solitude if you head to more remote campgrounds, such as Cosby, Balsam Mountain or Deep Creek. Dorn has seen black bears and, on a hazy summer night, an unforgettable firefly display in the Cades Cove area. Hiking opportunities abound. "I don't think any visit to the Smokies is complete if you don't spend a few hours walking on the Appalachian Trail." 865-436-1200; nps.gov/grsm